Procrastination Resources | From concept to follow through

Good intentions, that is how we all start out. We set specific tasks for ourselves with the intention of accomplishing them by a certain time. As the ultimate goody-two shoes we convince ourselves we are, we are certain that we will, in fact, do exactly what we have said out to do. After all, why make plans and schedules you have absolutely no intention of keeping?

Oh how the human mind works in mysterious ways! When the time finally comes around for us to get cracking and get to it. Why is it always then that absolutely anything else in the world seems more appealing to do? Are we doomed to always suffer from this procrastination curse? Or are there practical steps, tools, and resources we can call upon in our time of need?

Luckily the internet never disappoints. An absolute avalanche of tips, tricks, tools, apps is at your disposal with just the click of a button. Possibly overwhelming but somewhere in that information haystack are the true gems. And, to save you the trouble of reinventing the metaphorical ‘procrastination resource’ wheel, the heavy lifting has been done for you. The pitchfork has already been used to sort through this haystack and all that rests is for you to read on.

The greatest amount of wasted time is the time not getting started.

– Dawson Trotman

1. Understanding Procrastination

Let’s start things off by finding comfort in the numbers. There is nothing quite like knowing it is not just you, to make you feel that there are others out there that can relate to your predicament.

• 20% of people see themselves as chronic procrastinators (Steel P., 2007).
• 25% of employees admit to regularly procrastinating, according to the Harvard Business Review
• 74% from an adult sample who were surveyed, said they go to bed later than planned even though they didn’t plan to. (Floor M. Kroese et al., 2016).
• 50.7% of the people who were surveyed reported frequently procrastinating using the internet (Lavoie and Pychyl, 2001).
• 94% of people indicated that procrastination negatively affects their happiness (Steel P., 2007).

2. Where Does Procrastination Come from?

Now that we feel less alone let’s shortly recap on the root causes. Where does our need to procrastinate stem from? There is a general consensus that the most common root causes are the following:

• Fear of failure: The fear of not meeting expectations or making mistakes which can lead to avoidance.
• Perfectionism: The desire for everything to be perfect which can paralyze progress.
• Overwhelm: Feeling overwhelmed by a task which can make it easier to put it off for later.
• Lack of motivation: A lack of interest or intrinsic motivation which can hinder productivity.

3. Effective Strategies to Overcome Procrastination

While last-minute panic might have gotten you this far in life, we both know it is not a reliable strategy. Besides that, it is also not good for your peace of mind. That perpetual state of worry cannot be doing our blood pressures any favors. Instead, let’s explore more durable methods:

1. Break Down Tasks: Divide large, daunting tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Sometimes our to dos do not actually contain single tasks but projects disguised as single tasks. Review your tasks and if needed break disguised projects into its respective sub-tasks. If we can wrap our minds around what needs to be done we are already one step further. Visualization is a key preparation step to execution!
2. Set Clear Goals: Establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. I will keep repeating it, until it also resonates with you: what gets measured, gets managed.
3. Prioritize Tasks: Use techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
4. Time Management Techniques: Implement time management strategies like the Pomodoro Technique or time blocking. Be strict about your time. Track your time so it doesn’t escape you. What gets measured, gets managed!
5. Create a Productive Workspace: Organize your workspace to minimize distractions and maximize focus. Be weary that you do not catch yourself procrastinating on cleaning your workspace!
6. Eliminate Distractions: Turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and find a quiet environment. Take back control of your phone. You are the boss, not the other way around. Proactively set your notifications for only the apps you wish to receive and turn the rest off or categorize them into an hourly grouped release.
7. Reward Yourself: Celebrate your accomplishments with small rewards to stay motivated. It is important, even though we sometimes forget to take a break to celebrate our wins. This helps keep the spirit alive and reminds us how far we have come. Also frequent rewards can be more motivating than one big reward set far into three future!
8. Seek Accountability: Share your goals with a friend or accountability partner. Sometimes even just the idea that someone expects you to have something done can already be a big motivator, more so than just knowing you need to get something done.
9. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation: Reduce stress and improve focus through mindfulness techniques. Explore various techniques to find out which ones work for you.
10. Address Underlying Issues: If you find that your procrastination is stemming from deeper emotional issues, do consider seeking professional help. There is and should be no shame in that!

4. Helpful Tools and Resources

Nothing rings more true than the fact that things only feel like ‘work’ when you’re being told what to do by someone else. High time we become the ones telling ourselves what to do. If we do it right, it might not feel like work at all.

• Productivity Apps: Explore various apps to help you organize and track tasks.
• Time Tracking Tools: Use time-tracking tools to monitor how you spend your time and identify time-wasting activities.
• Motivational Podcasts: Listen to podcasts that offer productivity tips, and motivational speeches.
• Online Courses: Consider taking online courses on productivity, time management, or goal setting.

It turns out that there are some really fun resources out there to help you with your procrastination

1. Apps: There are several apps available to help with productivity and time management. Some great options you can explore include Forest, Sensa, Flora, Mindly, Todoist, Trello, Asana, and Pomodoro Timer. A personal favorite of mine I’ve recently been enjoying is Ahead.
2. Games: Gamification is a great way to motivate yourself and overcome procrastination. Games such as Habitica, Carrot to-do, and Epic Win can help you stay focused and achieve your goals.
3. Quizzes and assessments: Quizzes and assessments can help you identify your procrastination triggers and provide tailored solutions. Websites like 16 Personalities and Procrastination Assessment, pre vs procrastinator test can help you get started.
4. Podcasts: Podcasts can be a fun and informative way to learn about productivity and time management. Some popular productivity podcasts include Art for All, iProcrastinate Podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show, and The Productivityist.
5. Workshops and courses: Online courses and workshops can provide structured learning and support to help you overcome procrastination. Websites like Coursera and Udemy offer a wide range of courses on productivity and time management. A great place for free resources is YouTube with channels such as Ted, Ted-Ed, Psychtogo etc. Be careful not to get stuck in the motivation video rabbit hole though!
6. Social support: Joining a productivity or accountability group can provide motivation and accountability to help you stay on track. Websites like Meetup and Facebook offer a variety of groups focused on productivity and time management.

Takeaways

Conquering procrastination is a journey, not a destination. By implementing these strategies and utilizing the available resources, you can break free from the cycle of procrastination and achieve your goals. Remember, small steps can lead to significant progress. Take action today and reclaim your productivity!

Remember, the key to overcoming procrastination is finding what works best for you and making it a habit. So, have fun and experiment with these resources. Find what drives your procrastination and learn about tools and other resources that can help you stay focused and productive!

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“Procrastination is like a credit card; it’s a lot of fun until you get the bill.”

– Christopher Parker

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